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Snyder Designated for Assignment

While it wasn't officially announced after today's game by manager Terry Francona, veteran reliever Kyle Snyder confirmed that he has been designated for assingment, making room on the roster for Josh Beckett, who will be activated from the disabled list for tomorrow's start against the Blue Jays.

Boston has 10 days to either have Snyder clear waivers, trade him or, if he's not claimed by another team, send him to the minors, with his permission necessary to do so.

Snyder, a right-hander who joined the Red Sox late during the 2006 season, appeared in two games this year. He coughed up two runs in 1 1/3 innings in the first game of the season, against Oakland in Tokyo.

Yesterday he walked the first two batters he faced on only nine pitches and was lifted after the next batter dropped down a sacrifice bunt.

Snyder has been used mainly in long relief by the Sox. He appeared in 16 games in 2006 and 46 games last year. But as a long man, he and Julian Tavarez perform a similar role, and the Sox decided Snyder was expendable while keeping three other relievers -- David Aardsma, Bryan Corey and Javier Lopez. Those pitchers had seemed to be the most vulnerable with Beckett's imminent activation.

The Sox expect to have to make another move in about a week when Mike Timlin is ready to leave the DL.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 4:47 PM | Permalink

Blue Jays 10, Red Sox 2

TORONTO -- Clay Buchholz turned in a decent outing in his first start of the season, but the Blue Jays feasted on Boston's bullpen and erupted for a 10-2 victory yesterday at Rogers Centre.

Toronto put the game away by scoring six runs in the sixth inning, making it two 9in a row over the Sox. Boston will try to avoid a sweep tomorrow.

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 4:09 PM | Permalink

The Ace Returns

Josh Beckett, the team's ace starter, will return from the disabled list tomorrow for his first start of the season.

Manager Terry Francona said Beckett will be monitored closely so as not to overextend him in his 2008 debut.

"We expect he'll give everything he has, but we know he's not going to pitch a complete game," said Francona. "It will be nice just to get him out there. Our team feels good when he's out there even if it is coming out of spring training later than everybody else. He's worked so hard to get back," said Francona.

Beckett was sidelined because of a lower back strain, and there have been reports that his hip also had been bothering him. Francona said Beckett's hip was worked on, but indicated he thought the health issue with Beckett was tied mostly to his back.

When Beckett is activated, someone has to go to make room for him on the roster. Right-handed reliever David Aardsma would seem to be most at risk.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 11:34 AM | Permalink

Keeping 'Em Fresh

Manager Terry Francona has made a couple of lineup alterations for today's game against the Blue Jays.

Coco Crisp is starting in center field instead of Jacoby Ellsbury, and Sean Casey is replacing Kevin Youkilis at first base.

"It's early in the season and with the days off (in the schedule), I'm trying to keep both guys going. I don't want anybody to sit too long," said Francona, referring especially to Crisp and Ellsbury.

"We're just trying to win a game and keep guys sharp. Our guys understand that and are good about being flexible," he said.

The insertion of Casey prompted Francona to change the batting order. Youkilis generally bats second behind Dustin Pedroia, but with Youkilis out of the lineup, Francona has moved Julio Lugo to the top of the order and dropped Pedroia to second. Francona acknowledged that Lugo enjoys batting leadoff, but the Sox yanked him out of the leadoff spot after about two months last year when he struggled badly with on-base percentage.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 11:27 AM | Permalink

Starting Lineups, April 5

RED SOX

Lugo ss
Pedroia 2b
Ortiz dh
Ramirez lf
Lowell 3b
Drew rf
Varitek c
Casey 1b
Crisp cf

Buchholz p

BLUE JAYS

Eckstein ss
Stairs lf
Rios rf
Wells cf
Thomas dh
Overbay 1b
Hill 2b
Scutaro 3b
Zaun c

Litsch p

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 11:23 AM | Permalink

Blue Jays-Red Sox key stats

-Since 2005, Toronto is 33-23 against the Red Sox. No other opponent has beaten the Sox more times over that span.
-Toronto has beaten the Sox four consecutive times at Rogers Centre.
-In his big league career as a starter, Clay Buchholz has allowed four runs in 22.2 innings, for a 1.59 E.R.A.
-Manny Ramirez has 54 career home runs and 139 RBI against the Blue Jays -- both are the highest all-time by any major leaguer.
-Mike Lowell has a .352 career average -- 62 for 176 -- against Toronto.

Red Sox vs. Jesse Litsch
-Jacoby Ellsbury, 2 for 4, BB
-Dustin Pedroia, 2 for 5
-David Ortiz, 2 for 6, 2B, BB
-Alex Cora, 1 for 3, 2B
-Manny Ramirez, 1 for 3
-Mike Lowell, 2 for 7 (.286), HR, BB
-Julio Lugo, 2 for 7 (.286)
-J.D. Drew, 1 for 4, HR
-Coco Crisp, 1 for 5
-Kevin Youkilis, 0 for 2, BB
-Jason Varitek, 0 for 4, BB
-Litsch is 2-1 with a 4.86 E.R.A. in three career starts against Boston.

Blue Jays vs. Clay Buchholz
-Frank Thomas, 1 for 1, BB
-Gregg Zaun, 1 for 2, 2B
-Vernon Wells, 0 for 2, BB
-Aaron Hill, 0 for 2
-Alex Rios, 0 for 2
-Matt Stairs, 0 for 3
-Buchholz made one start against Toronto last season; he gave up two runs (one earned) in 4.2 innings, striking out five and walking two, and took the loss.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 8:41 AM to Projo Sox Streakers | Permalink